Dental Abscess

Key points

• Pus forms around a tooth root or in adjacent gum, and infection can spread beyond the mouth if untreated.
• The core treatment is to drain the pus and deal with the tooth responsible; antibiotics are for spreading infection.
• Clindamycin gets into dental tissue and bone effectively, so it can be used when penicillin-type drugs are unsuitable.

What it is and what causes it

There are two common sites. A periapical abscess develops at the apex of a tooth root. A periodontal abscess develops in gum tissue next to a tooth. Both start with bacteria.

How it is treated

Dental treatment is the main step: the abscess is drained and the tooth responsible is repaired. Antibiotics are added when infection is spreading or when the body’s defences need help. Clindamycin 150 mg and 300 mg tablets are used for dental abscess. It is often chosen when penicillin-type options are unsuitable because it reaches dental tissue and bone effectively. The medicine sits in the antibiotics category, with more detail on the clindamycin ingredient page. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

Signs that need urgent care

Swelling that reaches the eye, the neck or the floor of the mouth, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a fever above 39 C means the infection may be spreading. Get urgent dental or emergency help.

Further reading

• Abscess (Dental)
• Tooth abscess - Healthdirect
• Dental abscess - NHS
• Abscess - MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA